This is something of a belated "best of year" list, although there are some older titles I only got to last year included. An eclectic list, modestly offered -- a bit heavy on books on music, but many others, and perhaps something will strike the interest of other readers.

It's estimated that 30,000 people die yearly because of gun violence. More can and should be done to make sure military-style weapons do not wind up in the hands of people bent on harming the rights of innocent people.

Years ago, the California Academy of Pediatrics asked me to help develop policy and educational materials regarding having guns in the home, so that doctors could best advise parents on the safest practices on this topic.